DC03 vs DC04: Adjacent drawing grades — DC04 has better formability
DC03 vs DC04
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
DC03
1.0347
Cold-rolled steel for moderate drawing applications. Better formability than DC01, not as good as DC04. The "middle" grade in the EN 10130 drawing steel series. Used for moderate deep-drawing applications, automotive body panels (non-critical areas), white goods housings, and general presswork.
DC04
1.0338
Cold-rolled low-carbon steel for deep drawing. Higher formability than DC01/DC03 — suitable for difficult drawing and profiling operations. Used for automotive body panels, deep-drawn kitchen sinks, complex stampings, and precision-formed components.
| DC03 | DC04 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.0347 | 1.0338 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | EN 10130 | EN 10130 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | DC03 | DC04 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.1% | 0–0.08% | OK |
| Mn | 0–0.45% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| P | 0–0.035% | 0–0.03% | OK |
| S | 0–0.035% | 0–0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | DC03 | DC04 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 270–370 | 270–350 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 120–180 | 120–220 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 34 | ≥ 38 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
DC04 has lower YS (120-180 vs 120-180 MPa similar range but tighter) and higher r-value (1.6 vs 1.3 min) for better deep-drawing. DC03 is sufficient for moderate draws and costs slightly less. Choose DC04 for critical deep draws; DC03 for standard presswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DC03 the same as DC04?
DC03 and DC04 have a 85% composition overlap. Adjacent drawing grades — DC04 has better formability
Can I replace DC03 with DC04?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (85%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between DC03 and DC04?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. DC03 is a Carbon Steel grade, while DC04 is a Carbon Steel grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.